Americans for Common Cents

Legislative Landscape / Timeline

• December 2006: Mint regulation prohibits melting of coins.
• August 3, 2007: At the request of the Mint, Congressmen Gutierrez (D-IL) and Frank (D-MA) introduce H.R. 3330 , the Coin Modernization Act of 2007, legislation to give the Mint authority update the metallic content of coins.
• August 3, 2007: At the request of the Mint, Senator Allard (R-CO) introduces S. 1986 , the Coin Materials Modernization Act of 2007, Senate companion legislation to give the Mint authority update the metallic content of coins.
• October 22, 2007: Congressman Space (D-OH) introduces H.R. 3917 to overturn the Mint ban on melting one-cent and five-cent coins.
• October 24, 2007: Congressman Space introduces H.R. 3956 , the Coinage Efficiency Act of 2007, that combines his bill to overturn the ban on melting coins (H.R. 3917 ) and the Gutierrez-Frank metal content bill (H.R. 3330).
• October 31, 2007: House Financial Services Committee mark-up of H.R. 3956 postponed due to concerns about reversal of the melting ban and the shift of authority to the Mint from Congress for determining coin content. Instead of a bill mark-up, a hearing is scheduled for November 8.
• October 31, 2007: Anticipating a House Financial Services Committee mark-up, Congressman Lucas (R-OK) files an amendment to end penny production.
• November 1, 2007: Congressman Roskam (R-IL)introduces the “Cents and Sensibility Act ,” legislation to alter the metallic composition of the one-cent coin to copper plated steel.
• November 8, 2007: Hearing on H.R. 3956 is postponed.
• 2008: House Passes Steel Penny Bill (H.R. 5512) Coin Modernization and Taxpayer Savings Act of 2008

Past Congressional Activity 

2006 Kolbe bill (H.R. 5818)

2005 Penny redesign law to honor Lincoln in 2009

2001 ACC Remarks on the Kolbe bill (H.R. 2528)